UNIQUELY. BILLINGS.
Draft crosses by the dozens, mules by the bunches, and the ultimate trail horse central, Billings Livestock’s March 26 sale event shined.
The annual “Spring Special Catalog Sale” featured Trail, Outfitting, Guide, and Guest Horses and…..mules!! A big, big selection of recreational horses, teams, and mules for a one-day total of 564 head.
The 23rd annual event hosted horses, mules, and draft crosses from some of America’s premier outfitters including Hell’s A’Roarin Outfitters, Black Mountain Outfitters, and K Lazy 3.
Congratulations to March’s number one – Hip 74 “Solstice Of Apollo” a 2017 FHHSI Black Gelding – a registered Friesian Cross – that brought $65,000.
Trail ride, ranch work, brandings, sorting, English riding, the beautiful, gentle gelding had done it all in addition to being exposed to kids, dogs, cats, and alpacas.
Second high selling horses was also a friesian and Hip 88 “Winston of Griffin Gate” a 2015 FPZV Black Gelding came offered by Quarter Circle 4R Ranch Horses in Cody, WY .
Originally imported from Germany, the fancy black gelding was sweet, kind, came broke to ride and drive – single and double – had been used for grand entries at PRCA rodeos, ridden in parades and had also been ranch ridden.
The top five averaged $33,900 and included two friesians, two draft crosses, and an AQHA registered buckskin.
Something for everyone, opportunity and value continue to live at Billings, too, as 59 head of catalog horses brought between $5,000 and $7,500
Draft crosses were king and Hip 212 “Shady” a 2018 Grade Gray Draft Cross Stallion offered by Stetson Merrill, Twin Bridges, MT proved the point as the very gentle, nicely broke to ride, ranch ridden, started arena roping stallion brought $19,100.
Colored up and fancy broke, Hip 100X “Changa” a 2011 Grade Bay Roan Draft Cross Gelding consigned by Klay Ready, Cody, Wy was the deal.
Standing 16.1 and wearing a #2 shoe, the finished pickup horse had seen the crowds, noise and lights many times as well as ridden extensively outside, he came well started on the head side in the arena, too, and he sold for $25,000.
Offered by Black Mountain Outfitters, Emigrant, MT Hip 77 “Frosty Dakota Jet” a 2012 AQHA Buckskin Gelding x PC Red Rock Peppy x Sun Frost and out of a On The Money Red mare had seen extensive wilderness experience, ride bareback, lead a pack string, and stays gentle.
Both picket and hobble broke, the true mountain horse brought $20,000.
Mules, mules, mules – the top selling mules brought $12,800, $10,000, and $9,000 with Hip 219 “Toby” a 2013 Grade Black John consigned by :Loren Loesch, Spillville, IA and shown by Mike Sikveland, earning the number one spot.
Ride or pack, the mule had been ridden on many trail rides, used at the stockyards, minded his own business, and stayed broke and gentle. He brought $12,800.
Catalog sale averages include – 177 grade horses and mules – 68 registered horses – with a top ten average of $25,210, top 20 at $18,990; Top 50 at $13,379; and top 100 at $10,129.
One more time – that loose market set a new high of $9,400 on a loose horse offered as is, where is, how is, followed by $6,500, $5,600 for a top five average of $6,320, top ten at $5,290, top 50 at $3,514, top 100 at $2,784.
Loose overview – 34 horses brought $3,000 or better, with 79 over $2,000, and 100 at $1,700 or better.
Up next, both on premise and online – April 22-23 for our “April Special Catalog Sale” featuring our Spring Rope Horse Special.
See it all at www.billingslivestock.com